US20070204472A1 - Hacksaw - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand saw including a housing defining a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sides. The hand saw includes at least one bias member positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the blade in the housing and a lever coupled to the bias member. The lever is movable between an open position where the bias member is disengaged from the blade, and a closed position, where the bias member substantially engages at least one of the sides of the blade to secure the blade in the housing.

Description

BACKGROUND
• There are many different types of tools for cutting materials. Certain tools are designed to cut specific materials. For example, certain types of saws are used to cut wood and other types are used to cut metal or other materials. One type of saw used to cut metal is a hacksaw. Hacksaws are typically used to cut straight lines in metal and employ a fine toothed saw blade. Smaller hacksaws or mini-hacksaws are used to saw items in hard to reach places or areas having limited space. Hacksaw blades tend to be replaced frequently because the blades break or become dull after repeated use. In most cases, a user has to unscrew a broken blade from a frame in order to replace it, which takes significant time and effort.
• Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hacksaw which securely holds a blade and enables a user to quickly and easily remove and replace the blade.
SUMMARY
• The present invention is directed to a hand saw, and more specifically to a hacksaw including a housing and a lever movably connected to the housing, where the lever is movable between an open position and a closed position to release and secure a blade in the housing.
• One embodiment provides a hand saw including a housing defining a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sides. The hand saw includes at least one bias member positioned adjacent to one of the sides of the blade in the housing and a lever coupled to the bias member. The lever is movable between an open position where the bias member is disengaged from the blade, and a closed position, where the bias member substantially engages at least one of the sides of the blade to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, the bias member includes at least one spring arm, where the spring arm is adapted to engage the blade to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a guide connected to the lever and positioned adjacent to the bias member. The guide contacts the spring arm to cause the spring arm to engage the blade when the lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a support plate positioned adjacent to the blade on a side of the blade opposite to the bias member, where the support plate engages the spring arm of the bias member.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a guide connected to the lever and positioned adjacent to the bias member. The guide contacts at least one of the spring arms to cause the spring arm to engage the blade when the lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.
• In an embodiment, the bias member includes a plurality of spring arms, where one of the spring arms is adapted to engage the blade at a first location and at least one other of the spring arms is adapted to engage the blade at a second different location to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, the lever is rotatably connected to the bias member and is operable to rotate between the open position and the closed position.
• Another embodiment provides a hand saw including a first member and a second member connected together, where the first and second members cooperate to define a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade which is positioned adjacent to the bias member in the channel and defines at least one opening. The hand saw includes a lever assembly positioned in the channel, where the lever assembly includes a lever movable between an open position and a closed position. The hand saw also includes a bias member coupled to the lever assembly, where the bias member includes at least one spring arm. When the lever is in the open position the spring arm is disengaged from the opening defined by the blade, and when the lever arm is in the closed position the spring arm is engaged with the opening in the blade to secure the blade.
• In an embodiment, at least one of the first and second members includes a support arm, where the support arm engages at least a portion of the blade.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a guide connected to the lever assembly and positioned adjacent to the bias member. The guide contacts the spring arm to cause the spring arm to engage the opening defined by the blade when the lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a support plate positioned adjacent to the blade on a side of the blade opposite to the bias member. The support plate engages the spring arm of the bias member.
• In an embodiment, the bias member includes a plurality of spring arms, where one of the spring arms is adapted to engage the opening defined by the blade at a first location and at least one other of the spring arms is adapted to engage the blade at a second different location to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a guide connected to the lever assembly and positioned adjacent to the bias member. The guide contacts at least one of the spring arms to cause the spring arm to engage the opening defined by the blade when the lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a support plate positioned adjacent to the blade on a side of the blade opposite to the bias member, where the support plate engages at least one of the spring arms of the bias member.
• In an embodiment, the lever is rotatably connected to the bias member and is operable to rotate between the open position and the closed position.
• A further embodiment provides a hand saw including a housing defining a channel. The channel is adapted to receive a blade having a first side and a second side. The hand saw includes a lever pivotably connected to the housing and movable between a first position and a second position, a first wedge coupled to the lever and a second wedge positioned adjacent to the first wedge. The second wedge is movably connected to the housing so that when the lever is in the open position, the blade is not secured in the housing, and when the lever is in the closed position, the first wedge contacts the second wedge to cause the second wedge to engage the first side of the blade and the second side of the blade to contact the housing to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, the hand saw includes a spring positioned in the housing. The spring contacts the second side of the blade and biases the blade towards the second wedge to secure the blade in the housing.
• In an embodiment, each of the first and second wedges includes at least one angled surface.
• In an embodiment, the first wedge includes an arm engageable by the lever, where when the lever is moved to the open position, the lever engages the arm and causes the arm and the first wedge to move upwardly and away from the second wedge, and disengage the second wedge from the blade.
• It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to provide a hand saw having housing and a blade which is easily and quickly removable and replaceable in the housing.
• Another advantage of the present invention is to provide a hand saw which securely holds a blade.
• Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts, elements, components, steps and processes.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of the hacksaw of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the hacksaw ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 3A is an elevation view of the bias member, the guide and the lever of the hacksaw ofFIG. 1 where the housing is removed from the hacksaw and the lever is in the open position.
• FIG. 3B is a cross-section view taken substantially along theline3B-3B shown inFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 4A is an elevation view of the bias member, the guide and the lever of the hacksaw ofFIG. 1 where the housing is removed from the hacksaw and the lever is in the closed position.
• FIG. 4B is a cross-section view taken substantially along theline4B-4B shown inFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 5A is a partial perspective view illustrating how the spring arm engages the blade.
• FIG. 5B is a cross-section view taken substantially along theline5B-5B shown inFIG. 5A.
• FIG. 6 is a side view of the first member of the housing of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 7 is a side view of the second member of the housing of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 2.
• FIG. 8A is a partial perspective view of another embodiment of the hacksaw where the lever is in the closed position.
• FIG. 8B is an end view of the embodiment of the hacksaw ofFIG. 8A.
• FIG. 9A is a partial perspective view of the embodiment ofFIG. 7A where the lever is in the open position.
• FIG. 9B is an enlarged partial side view of the lever ofFIG. 9A where the lever engages the first wedge.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• Referring to the figures, one embodiment of a hand saw of the present invention is illustrated where the hand saw is ahacksaw100 including ahousing102 having a generallyfront portion104 and a generally straightrear portion106. Thehousing102 is formed by joining afirst member108 including a U-shapedfront end103 and asecond member110 which are snapped together or connected together in any suitable manner. Suitable connectors such as screws are inserted into first andsecond openings111 and113 respectively to secure the first andsecond members108 and110 together. In the illustrated embodiment, agrip107 is used to help secure the first and second members together. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, thegrip107 fits or slides over theend106 of the housing to secure the first andsecond members108 and110. T-shapedconnectors115 are inserted throughgrip openings117 defined by thegrip107 and engagereceptacles119 defined by the first and second members to secure thegrip107 to thehousing102. As shown inFIG. 2, theconnectors115 may include a company logo or any other suitable text, shape or image. It should be appreciated that any suitable connector or connectors may be used to secure the grip to the housing. It should also be appreciated that any suitable connector or connection method can be used to secure the first and second members of the housing together.
• In an embodiment, thehousing102, and more specifically, the first andsecond members108,110 are manufactured of steel or any other suitable material or materials. Thefirst member108 defines agroove114. Thegroove114 includes afirst slot116 and asecond slot118 and are defined by therear portion106 of thehousing102. Thesecond member110 defines athird slot120 as shown inFIG. 7, which has a size and shape which corresponds to the size and shape of theblade170 as discussed below. When the first andsecond members108,110 are joined or connected together achannel122 is defined which holds the various components or parts of thehand saw100.
• In the illustrated embodiment, a guide ordeflector124 is positioned in thefirst slot116 defined by thefirst member108 of thehousing102. Theguide124 includes a generally straightplanar portion126 having asemicircular portion128 extending from one side and a plurality of spaced aparttabs130 extending from the opposite side. Thesemicircular portion128 of theguide124 defines a guide opening orhole132.
• A lever or handle134 is coupled to theguide124. Thelever134 includes acurved grip portion136 which corresponds to the curvature of the front portion of the housing and defines afirst lever opening138 and asecond lever opening140. Thefirst lever opening138 receives afirst pin142. One end of thefirst pin142 is inserted through thefirst lever opening138 and into thefirst housing opening146. The other end of thefirst pin142 is inserted into thesecond housing opening148. Thefirst pin142 is held in place when thefirst member108 andsecond member110 of thehousing100 are connected together. Thelever134 moves and rotates about the axis defined by thefirst pin142. Thelever134 is coupled to theguide124 using asecond pin144. One end of thesecond pin144 is inserted into the second lever opening140 defined by thelever134 and the other end of thesecond pin144 is inserted into theguide opening132. Thesecond pin144 causes theguide124 to move forward and backward within thefirst slot116 when thelever134 is moved between an open and a closed position as described below.
• In the illustrated embodiment, a bias member, securing member orholder150 is positioned in thesecond slot118 defined by thefirst member108. The securingmember150 is a generally planar member which includes a plurality ofspring arms152 and aguide flange154, and defines a pair ofclearance openings156. The securingmember150 also defines a recess157 which is formed to mate with thefront protrusion158aon thefirst member108. At least a portion of theprotrusion158aextends through therecess156. Thefirst member108 also includes asecond protrusion158bwhich each engage correspondingreceptacles159aand159bon thesecond member110 to help hold and secure the first and second members together. In another embodiment, thelever134 is connected to the bias member or securing member and causes the bias member to move back and forth within thechannel122.
• Each of thespring arms152 includes an elongatedplanar portion160 and aplanar finger162 which is transverse to and extends away from the planar portion. As shown in the figures, thefingers162 of thespring arms152 extend away from theguide124. Thetabs130 of theguide124 are positioned to move along the inside surface of theplanar portions160 of thespring arms152 to cause the spring arms to deflect or move generally inwardly when thelever134 is moved to the closed position. Theguide flange154 includes astraight portion164 and anangled portion166. Theguide flange168 presses onstraight portion164 in the same way that one of thetabs120 presses on theplanar portion160 of the spring arms.Guide flange154 places an upward force on theblade170 urging the blade into asupport channel188 to help secure theblade170.
• Theguide124 includes aguide plate168 which initially is in an upper position adjacent to theangled portion166 of theguide flange154 when thelever134 is in the open position. When thelever134 is moved to the closed position theguide124 moves toward therear portion106 of thehousing102 thereby causing theguide plate168 to move downwardly along theangled portion166 of theguide flange154 and then along the straight portion of theguide flange168 when thelever134 is in the closed position.
• A generally elongatedblade170 is inserted into thechannel122 of thehousing102 and is positioned between the securingmember150 and thesecond member110 of thehousing102. Specifically, thethird slot120 defined by thesecond member110 of thehousing102 has a size and shape which corresponds to the size and shape of theblade170. Theblade170 is interchangeable and may be replaced with any suitable blade having a size and shape which corresponds to the size and shape of the channel defined by thehousing102. In the illustrated embodiment, theblade170 includes aserrated edge172 which defines a plurality of teeth which cut through metal or any other suitable material. It should be appreciated that the blade may have a single serrated edge or a plurality of serrated edges. It should also be appreciated that the teeth of the blade may be of any suitable size and shape. In the illustrated embodiment, theblade170 defines afirst blade opening174 and afirst end176 and a second blade opening178 and asecond end180. The first andsecond blade openings174,178 have a size and shape which corresponds to the size and shape of thefingers162 of thespring arms152. Thus, either end of theblade170 may be inserted into the channel defined by thehousing102 to secure the blade to thehousing102. The blade is manufactured of steel. It should be appreciated that the blade may be manufactured using any suitable material or materials.
• In one embodiment, asupport plate182 is positioned between theblade170 and thesecond member110 of thehousing102. Thesupport plate182 is a generally elongated planar plate which defines a plurality offirst plate openings184 having a size and shape which corresponds to the size and shape of the fingers of the spring arms. Thesupport plate182 definesconnector openings186 which enable the support plate to be secured to thesecond member110 of thehousing102 using suitable connectors, such as screws. Thesupport plate182 is positioned so that the plate openings receive at least a portion of one or more of thefingers162 of thespring arms152 which extend through theblade170. Thesupport plate182 supports thefingers162 of thespring arms152 and minimizes the stresses on the fingers of the spring arms during use of thehand saw100. In the illustrated embodiment the support plate is a separate part or piece which is positioned in thechannel122 defined by thehousing102. In another embodiment, thesupport plate182 is integrally formed with thesecond housing110. It should be appreciated that the support plate may be made out of steel or any suitable material or materials.
• In operation, to insert ablade170 or replace a blade secured in thehousing102, thelever134 is moved to the open position as shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B. When thelever134 is moved to the open position, the lever pulls or moves theguide124 forward or towards thefront portion104 of thehousing102. Thetabs130 of theguide124 move forward along thespring arms152 and thereby release the inward pressure on the spring arms. Thespring arms152, and more specifically, thefingers162 of the spring arms move away from and out of engagement with one of theblade openings174,178. Theblade170 is now unsecured from thehousing102. Theblade170 is removed and replaced with a new blade which is inserted into thechannel122 defined by thehousing102.
• Thelever134 is moved to the closed position, as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. As thelever134 moves to the closed position, it causes theguide124 to move rearwardly or towards therear portion106 of thehousing102. This causes thetabs130 of theguide124 to move along the inside surface of thespring arms152 toward the ends of the spring arms including thefingers162. Thetabs130 thereby contact and push thespring arms152 towards theblade170. If theblade170, and more specifically, one of theblade openings174,178 is positioned adjacent to one of thefingers162 of thespring arms152, the finger is received by theblade opening174 or178 and the corresponding plate opening184 of thesupport plate182. If theblade opening174 or178 is not aligned with one of thefingers162 of thespring arms152, the user moves theblade170 within thehousing102 until theblade opening174 or178 engages one of thefingers162 of thespring arms152 as shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. It should be appreciated that the rearward blade opening may engage any one of thespring arms152 depending upon the desired length of theblade170 to be extended from thehousing102. Thus, the length of theblade170 needed to cut or saw an item may be adjusted by engaging therearward blade opening174 or178 withdifferent fingers162 of thespring arms152.
• Thefront portion104 of thehousing102 defines asupport channel188 which corresponds to the width of theblade170. Thesupport channel188 is sized to snugly fit theblade170 to support the front portion of the blade.
• When thelever134 is in the closed position, theblade170 is secured in thehousing102 and the hand saw100 can be used to saw or cut one or more items such as a piece of metal. The above process is repeated to replace the blade with a new blade or different blade.
• Referring toFIGS. 1, 2,8A,8B,9A and9B, another embodiment of the hand saw is illustrated where the hand saw100 includes thehousing102 formed by the first andsecond members108 and110 as described above. A lever or handle200 is rotatably connected to thehousing102 using a pin or post202 which is connected at one end to thefirst member108 of thehousing102 and the opposite end of thepin202 is inserted through an opening defined by thelever200 and into a corresponding opening (not shown) defined by thesecond member110 of thehousing102. The first andsecond members108 and110 of thehousing102 are connected together to secure thepin202 in the housing. Similar to above, thehousing102 defines a channel (not shown) for receiving ablade170. Specifically, the rear portion of the housing defines afirst channel204 for receiving one end of the blade and thefront portion104 of thehousing102 defines a second channel206 sized to receive an edge of theblade170 to support the front portion of the blade.
• In this embodiment, afirst wedge208 having an L-shaped arm extending generally upwardly from the first wedge is movably connected to thehousing102 and positioned adjacent to thelever200. Thefirst wedge208 defines anangled surface212. Asecond wedge214 is movably connected in thehousing102 and defines anangled surface216 which is adjacent to theangled surface212 of thefirst wedge208. Thesecond wedge214 moves in a generally horizontal or side-to-side direction. The rear portion of theblade170 is inserted into the channel defined by the rear portion of the housing and is positioned adjacent to the flat surface of thesecond wedge214. Aspring member218 is movably connected in thehousing102 and is positioned between theblade170 and thesecond member110 of the housing. In an another embodiment, thespring member218 is connected to or integrally formed with the second member of thehousing110. In the illustrated embodiment, thespring member218 is biased inwardly against theblade170 and moves horizontally or laterally within the housing.
• When thelever200 is in the open position, as shown inFIGS. 9A and 9B, theangled surface212 of thefirst wedge208 is generally applying no pressure to theangled surface216 of thesecond wedge214. In this position, ablade170 can be inserted into thechannel122 defined by therear portion106 of thehousing102 or ablade170 can be removed from thehousing102 and replaced with a new or different blade. To secure a blade in thehousing102, thelever200 is moved to the closed position or the position substantially flush with the housing, as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. Moving thelever200 to the closed position causes acam portion220 of the lever to push downwardly against the top surface of the first wedge as shown inFIG. 8A. Thefirst wedge208 moves downwardly and causes theangled surface212 of thefirst wedge208 to contact theangled surface216 of thesecond wedge214. As theangled surface212 of thefirst wedge208 pushes against theangled surface216 of thesecond wedge214, the second wedge moves laterally inwardly against theblade170. The inward force of thesecond wedge214 and thespring member218 against opposing sides of theblade170 secure the blade within thehousing102. Thespring member218 moves laterally within thehousing102 to accommodate different sized blades having different thicknesses.
• To remove ablade170 from thehousing102, thelever200 is moved to the open position shown inFIG. 9A. Specifically, thelever200 is rotated away from thehousing102 causing thecam portion220 of the lever to engage alip222 of thearm210 of thefirst wedge208. Thecam portion220 of thelever200 contacts thelip222 of the arm and causes thearm210 and thefirst wedge208 to move generally upwardly within thehousing102. This causes theangled surface212 of thefirst wedge208 to move away from theangled surface216 of thesecond wedge214 thereby releasing the pressure of the first wedge from the second wedge. Thesecond wedge214 moves outwardly away from theblade170 as thefirst wedge208 moves upwardly within thehousing102. This releases the pressure, or at least reduces the pressure, of thesecond wedge214 against theblade170 thereby allowing the blade to be removed from the housing. The above steps can be repeated to move and/or replace blades in the housing.
• Each of the above components or parts of the hand saw are made of steel or a similar durable material. It should be appreciated that any suitable material or materials may be used to manufacture the components of the hand saw.
• As described above, in an embodiment, thegrip107 is attached to at least a portion of the housing such as the rear portion of the housing to enable a user to securing hold the hand saw during use. In an embodiment, thegrip107 is made of a suitable non-slip or non-skid material, such as rubber. It should be appreciated that the grip may be made out of any suitable material or materials.
• While the present invention is described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, and is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims. Modifications and variations in the present invention may be made without departing from the novel aspects of the invention as defined in the claims, and this application is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Claims (19)

1. A hand saw comprising:

a housing defining a channel, said channel adapted to receive a blade having a top edge, a bottom edge and two sides;

at least one bias member positioned adjacent to one of said sides of said blade in said housing; and

a lever coupled to said bias member, said lever being movable between an open position where said bias member is disengaged from said blade, and a closed position, where said bias member substantially engages at least one of said sides of said blade to secure said blade in said housing.

2. The hand saw ofclaim 1, wherein said bias member includes at least one spring arm, said spring arm adapted to engage said blade to secure said blade in said housing.

3. The hand saw ofclaim 2, which includes a guide connected to said lever and positioned adjacent to said bias member, said guide contacting said spring arm to cause said spring arm to engage said blade when said lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.

4. The hand saw ofclaim 1, which includes a support plate positioned adjacent to said blade on a side of said blade opposite to said bias member, said support plate engaging said spring arm of said bias member.

5. The hand saw ofclaim 4, which includes a guide connected to said lever and positioned adjacent to said bias member, said guide contacting at least one of said spring arms to cause said spring arm to engage said blade when said lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.

6. The hand saw ofclaim 1, wherein said bias member includes a plurality of spring arms, one of said spring arms being adapted to engage said blade at a first location and at least one other of said spring arms adapted to engage said blade at a second different location to secure said blade in said housing.

7. The hand saw ofclaim 1, wherein said lever is rotatably connected to said bias member, said lever operable to rotate between the open position and the closed position.

8. A hand saw comprising:

a first member and a second member connected together, said first and second members cooperating to define a channel, said channel adapted to receive a blade, said blade being positioned adjacent to said bias member in said channel and defining at least one opening;

a lever assembly positioned in said channel, said lever assembly including a lever movable between an open position and a closed position; and

a bias member coupled to said lever assembly, said bias member including at least one spring arm,

wherein when said lever is in the open position said spring arm is disengaged from said opening defined by said blade, and when said lever arm is in the closed position said spring arm is engaged with said opening in said blade to secure said blade.

9. The hand saw ofclaim 8, wherein at least one of said first and second members includes a support arm, said support arm engaging at least a portion of said blade.

10. The hand saw ofclaim 8, which includes a guide connected to said lever assembly and positioned adjacent to said bias member, said guide contacting said spring arm to cause said spring arm to engage said opening defined by said blade when said lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.

11. The hand saw ofclaim 8, which includes a support plate positioned adjacent to said blade on a side of said blade opposite to said bias member, said support plate engaging said spring arm of said bias member.

12. The hand saw ofclaim 8, wherein said bias member includes a plurality of spring arms, one of said spring arms being adapted to engage said opening defined by said blade at a first location and at least one other of said spring arms adapted to engage said blade at a second different location to secure said blade in said housing.

13. The hand saw ofclaim 12, which includes a guide connected to said lever assembly and positioned adjacent to said bias member, said guide contacting at least one of said spring arms to cause said spring arm to engage said opening defined by said blade when said lever is moved from the open position to the closed position.

14. The hand saw ofclaim 12, which includes a support plate positioned adjacent to said blade on a side of said blade opposite to said bias member, said support plate engaging at least one of said spring arms of said bias member.

15. The hand saw ofclaim 8, wherein said lever is rotatably connected to said bias member, said lever operable to rotate between the open position and the closed position.

16. A hand saw comprising:

a housing defining a channel, said channel adapted to receive a blade having a first side and a second side;

a lever pivotably connected to said housing and movable between a first position and a second position;

a first wedge coupled to said lever; and

a second wedge positioned adjacent to said first wedge, said second wedge being movably connected to said housing,

wherein when said lever is in the open position, said blade is not secured in said housing, and when said lever is in the closed position, said first wedge contacts said second wedge to cause said second wedge to engage the first side of said blade and said second side of said blade to contact said housing to secure the blade in the housing.

17. The hand saw ofclaim 16, which includes a spring positioned in the housing, said spring contacts the second side of said blade and biases said blade towards said second wedge to secure the blade in the housing.

18. The hand saw ofclaim 16, wherein each of said first and second wedges include at least one angled surface.

19. The hand saw ofclaim 16, wherein said first wedge includes an arm engageable by said lever, wherein when said lever is moved to the open position, said lever engages said arm and causes said arm and said first wedge to move upwardly and away from said second wedge, and disengage said second wedge from said blade.

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